11 Aug 2025, 21:25

Coinbase Ventures bought Toncoin tokens directly from Telegram to support TON’s blockchain project

Coinbase Ventures, the investment arm of U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase, now owns Toncoin, the native cryptocurrency of the Open Network (TON). This blockchain powers Telegram’s web3 ecosystem, directly enabling payments, gaming, NFTs, and other decentralized services within the messaging app. The TON Foundation revealed the investment on Monday in an announcement on X, and described it as a strong endorsement from one of the most prominent venture investors in the crypto industry . The Foundation said it could not disclose Coinbase Ventures’ position size. Still, it noted that their support spoke volumes, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the firm’s involvement despite the lack of financial details. Coinbase Ventures has added to a list of investors who bet that TON will bridge social media and mass blockchain adoption. The project is widely applicable due to its unique integration with the famous messaging app Telegram, which has more than 1 billion monthly active users globally. The enormous size of this audience gives TON a pre-built distribution channel for web3 services, thereby reducing some of the friction that new blockchain projects typically struggle with around bringing on manageable groups of users. Coinbase Ventures’ participation could signal that more traditional investment firms might follow into TON, especially in the Western markets where Telegram is not as heavily integrated with cryptocurrencies (unlike Asia and Eastern Europe). The deal endorses a good side of the strategy pursued by TON to help blockchain tools run smoothly in a user-friendly environment that has helped them become market leaders as far as socially integrated web3 adoption is concerned. Coinbase Ventures buys tokens directly from Telegram Manuel Stotz, president of the TON Foundation and CEO of Kingsway Capital, said that Coinbase Ventures purchased the TON tokens directly from Telegram — the messaging giant behind the network’s core infrastructure. This direct acquisition bypassed secondary markets and intermediaries, underscoring the deal’s strategic nature. Stotz did not reveal the size of the transaction or the date it was finalized, citing confidentiality agreements. However, industry watchers see the move as a deliberate alignment between one of the largest U.S. crypto investors and a blockchain project with one of the biggest built-in audiences in the world. A Coinbase Ventures spokesperson confirmed the investment but declined to share further details. They said it was a long-term venture investment in TON and explained that token acquisitions are a common way for venture firms to back blockchain projects in their early or growth phases. According to them, tokens serve both as an investment asset and a stake in the network’s expansion, helping to align investor incentives with the project’s success. By entering through a direct purchase from Telegram, Coinbase Ventures gains a position in Toncoin and a symbolic link to the platform’s web3 ambitions. The transaction signals confidence in TON’s ability to bridge mainstream social networking with blockchain-based services — from payments and decentralized apps to digital identity. Although financial terms remain undisclosed, analysts suggest that Coinbase’s move could pave the way for deeper U.S. institutional participation in TON, especially if the network continues to integrate seamlessly with Telegram’s one billion-plus monthly active users. Institutional faith grows in TON The TON Foundation’s Monday announcement highlighted other major backers, including Sequoia Capital, Benchmark, and Ribbit Capital. Past reports also point to Pantera Capital, Ryze Labs, and Animoca Brands as significant investors. These firms have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the project. One of TON’s biggest draws for institutional investors is its exclusive integration with Telegram. With the messaging app’s global reach, TON has a ready-made user base and built-in distribution channel. However, some investors, like Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu, have noted that this scale also creates dependency risks if Telegram’s priorities shift. Recent months have brought a string of large TON-related announcements. Last week, Nasdaq-listed Verb Technology said it was partnering with Kingsway Capital on a $558 million private placement, positioning itself as the first publicly traded firm to hold Toncoin as its main reserve asset. The company plans to rebrand as TON Strategy Co. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.

11 Aug 2025, 21:20

Blockchain Social Platform ZORA Extends Epic Rally with 55% Overnight Jump – $0.25 Next?

ZORA, the native token powering the trending blockchain-based social creator platform, has continued its surge , posting an overnight 55% rally that pushed the price to a new all-time high of $0.1409. While the token has since pulled back to $0.126 at the time of writing, the latest momentum has propelled ZORA to gains exceeding 1,500% from its June floor of $0.00777, positioning it near the coveted $500 million market capitalization threshold. $ZORA ATH Run: A 4-Day Explosion Aug 6: Base app integration → creator token boom Aug 7: 100K+ tokens minted, 92.5% market dominance Aug 8: Binance 50x futures listing → $1.2B volume Aug 9: Price hits $0.106, $420M+ on-chain volume Up 1260% in the last 34 days – This is… pic.twitter.com/iUfGeBV69y — Crypto Patel (@CryptoPatel) August 11, 2025 This performance has sparked speculation about a potential 100% rally to $0.25, which would elevate ZORA into the exclusive $1 billion market cap club. ZORA Social Platform Model Gears Up for the $0.25 price target ZORA is a crypto-native alternative to established platforms like Instagram and TikTok, centering on direct creator monetization through innovative tokenomics. Each user automatically receives a Creator Coin, an ERC-20 token linked to their handle, with a capped supply of 1 billion tokens. The distribution model allocates 50% for immediate trading, while the remaining half vests to creators over a five-year period. Trading activity generates 1% fees paid in ZORA tokens directly to creators, creating a direct correlation between engagement and earnings potential. This mechanism incentivizes both user participation and token accumulation, as supporters can profit by identifying rising creators early. The platform’s recent integration with Coinbase’s Base blockchain has expanded its reach within crypto-native communities, positioning Zora as a leading Web3 social network for monetizing attention and engagement. Despite recording over 10x gains in the past 30 days, crypto analysts maintain that ZORA remains in a robust uptrend with sustained bullish momentum. Ichimoku cloud analysis indicates the social platform token could experience an additional 20-30% appreciation toward the next major psychological resistance level around $0.15. Price is up 10x in under a month! Massive congrats to early holders. $ZORA – Price Analysis [Request] Trend check: Uptrend and bull pressure looking super solid! We could see another 20–30% pump towards the next big psychological level. My Tip: Watch the… pic.twitter.com/AgjQuYqv0O — Crypto_Jobs TA & FA (@CryptoJobs3) August 10, 2025 Crypto AI analyst Kurnia Bijaksana supports this optimistic outlook, noting that ZORA has successfully broken above the 1.618 Fibonacci extension and could theoretically advance to the 2.618 Fibonacci level at $0.172. ZORA’s Fundamental Concerns Cast a Shadow on Rally While the technical structure appears solid, growing skepticism surrounds ZORA’s actual utility and adoption metrics. Blockchain data analyst “BitBlaze” has pointed out a concerning disconnect, noting that “$ZORA is going absolute bonkers, but the metrics aren’t matching the pump at all.” Key usage statistics reveal troubling trends as new user wallet creation has plummeted from over 60,000 monthly at launch to under 10,000 currently. $ZORA is going absolute bonkers, but the metrics aren’t matching the pump at all. – New addresses per month dropped from over 60k at launch to under 10k now – Retention is falling off most new cohorts stick around for barely 1-2 months -Contract creation peaked above 100k, now… pic.twitter.com/9eLbt0Uzx5 — Axel Bitblaze (@Axel_bitblaze69) July 27, 2025 User retention has simultaneously deteriorated, with most new user cohorts remaining active for only 1-2 months. Transaction volume through the creator application has declined dramatically from nearly 6 million monthly to below 1.5 million, while active user counts have crashed from a peak of 200,000+ to approximately 50,000 today. These fundamental weaknesses present a potential bear case for the current price action, which could see ZORA decline below the $0.10 psychological support level and revisit the $0.0880 support zone if market sentiment shifts. Technical Outlook: RSI at 72 Screams Correction, But $0.25 Still in Play From a technical perspective, the 4-hour ZORA/USD chart displays a strong uptrend within an ascending channel pattern, with prices recently testing upper extension levels around $0.14 before the current pullback. Fibonacci projection analysis identifies key resistance zones at $0.1600–$0.1680, aligning with bullish targets should the uptrend resume. Source: TradingView However, the RSI reading around 72 indicates overbought conditions, increasing the probability of near-term consolidation before any additional rallies. In the optimistic scenario, sustained consolidation above the $0.1300–$0.1340 support zone could reset momentum indicators and allow a push toward the $0.16–$0.168 resistance cluster. Conversely, failure to maintain support at $0.1300 could trigger deeper retracements toward $0.1000 or potentially $0.0805. The post Blockchain Social Platform ZORA Extends Epic Rally with 55% Overnight Jump – $0.25 Next? appeared first on Cryptonews .

11 Aug 2025, 21:18

Harvard’s Bitcoin ETF Investment Sparks Institutional Interest in Ethereum, XRP, and Emerging MAGACOIN Finance

Harvard University’s recent $118 million investment in BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust highlights a renewed institutional interest in cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. Harvard’s endowment fund now holds approximately 8%

11 Aug 2025, 21:15

Terraform Labs’ Do Kwon Prepares To Plead Guilty Over $40 Billion Collapse

Do Kwon, co-founder of blockchain company Terraform Labs, is anticipated to enter a guilty plea regarding US fraud charges tied to two cryptocurrencies that collectively lost approximately $40 billion in 2022. Court records revealed on Monday indicate that a conference for this purpose has been scheduled for August 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 1305 of the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse in New York City. Do Kwon Set To Change Plea According to the court documents , the presiding judge has been informed that Do Kwon may change his plea, which marks a significant shift in his legal strategy. In advance of the hearing, defense counsel is expected to review any plea agreement with Kwon and prepare him to deliver a narrative allocution detailing the offenses to which he will plead guilty. The court has encouraged the defense to assist in crafting a statement that can be presented during the proceedings, emphasizing clarity and efficiency. Do Kwon’s legal troubles escalated following his extradition from Montenegro, where he had been detained for over a year after attempting to board a flight with falsified travel documents. His downfall began with the catastrophic failure of his digital currencies, which resulted in severe financial losses for countless investors. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have charged him with a range of offenses, including securities fraud, wire fraud, commodities fraud, and conspiracy. Legal U-Turn Despite his previous assertions of innocence and claims of transparency in his business practices, the impending guilty plea could come as a shock to many, particularly given Kwon’s consistent denial of any wrongdoing. This unexpected shift follows a significant civil settlement in June 2024, where Do Kwon agreed to pay an $80 million fine to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as part of a broader $4.55 billion settlement involving his company, Terraform Labs. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

11 Aug 2025, 21:12

XRP Whales Transfer $108 Million to Coinbase Amid Price Rally and Potential Bullish Patterns

XRP’s recent price rally has seen whales transferring $108 million to Coinbase, raising concerns about potential sell-offs. Despite this, bullish patterns suggest a target of $3.80. Whales moved 33.396 million

11 Aug 2025, 21:10

Mara Holdings Secures Pivotal Exaion Acquisition for $170M

BitcoinWorld Mara Holdings Secures Pivotal Exaion Acquisition for $170M The digital asset landscape is constantly evolving, and companies are always seeking new avenues for growth. A significant development is unfolding as Mara Holdings , previously known as Marathon Digital, reportedly nears a transformative Exaion acquisition . This strategic move could redefine the company’s trajectory beyond its traditional crypto mining roots. What Does This Mara Holdings Deal Mean? Reports indicate that Mara Holdings is in the final stages of acquiring a 64% stake in Exaion, a subsidiary of the French energy giant EDF. This substantial deal is valued at approximately $170 million, marking a considerable commitment from Mara Holdings to diversify its portfolio. For a company primarily known for its Bitcoin mining operations, this potential Exaion acquisition signifies a deliberate shift. It signals an intent to broaden its technological footprint and explore new revenue streams outside the volatile cryptocurrency mining sector. Consequently, this could be seen as a strategic crypto mining investment into a broader digital infrastructure play. Exaion’s Expertise: Powering High-Performance Computing and AI Infrastructure Why is Exaion such an attractive target for Mara Holdings ? Exaion is not just any data center operator. It specializes in running state-of-the-art high-performance computing (HPC) data centers. These facilities are crucial for processing vast amounts of data at incredible speeds, supporting complex computational tasks vital for modern applications. Furthermore, Exaion provides essential cloud and AI infrastructure services. In today’s rapidly advancing technological world, access to robust AI capabilities and scalable cloud solutions is invaluable. This expertise aligns well with the growing demand for powerful computational resources across various industries, from scientific research to enterprise solutions. The synergy here is clear: Mara Holdings brings energy management and large-scale operational experience, while Exaion contributes specialized HPC and AI capabilities. This combination positions the combined entity for significant growth in the burgeoning digital infrastructure market, creating a powerful new force. Strategic Implications for Mara Holdings and Crypto Mining Investment This potential Exaion acquisition represents more than just a purchase; it’s a strategic pivot for Mara Holdings . By integrating Exaion’s operations, Mara Holdings can leverage its existing infrastructure and energy partnerships to support a wider range of services. This diversification could lead to more stable and predictable revenue streams, reducing reliance solely on Bitcoin mining rewards. Consider these key benefits: Diversified Revenue: Moving beyond pure crypto mining into HPC and AI offers new income avenues, mitigating market volatility. Enhanced Capabilities: Gaining expertise in cloud and AI infrastructure strengthens Mara’s technological prowess and service offerings. Market Position: This deal could elevate Mara Holdings to a key player in the broader digital infrastructure space, not just crypto. Future-Proofing: Investing in AI and HPC positions the company for future technological advancements and increasing demands for computational power. Ultimately, this bold move could also set a precedent for other large-scale crypto mining investment firms looking to expand their horizons and mitigate risks associated with single-asset exposure. The Future Landscape: High-Performance Computing Meets Digital Assets The intersection of high-performance computing and digital assets is becoming increasingly prominent. As AI models grow more complex and data processing needs skyrocket, the demand for specialized data centers like Exaion’s will only increase. Mara Holdings is strategically positioning itself at the forefront of this convergence. This deal highlights a broader trend where companies that originated in the crypto space are now exploring adjacent, high-growth sectors. The capabilities developed for efficient crypto mining – such as managing large-scale energy consumption and specialized hardware – are highly transferable to HPC and AI infrastructure , creating natural synergies. The successful integration of Exaion into Mara Holdings’ operations could serve as a blueprint for future mergers and acquisitions in the digital asset and tech infrastructure industries. It’s an exciting time to watch how these synergies unfold and contribute to the evolution of the digital economy. In conclusion, the impending Exaion acquisition by Mara Holdings is a landmark event. It signals a powerful strategic redirection, transforming a leading crypto miner into a diversified digital infrastructure powerhouse. This move promises to unlock new growth opportunities and solidify Mara Holdings’ position in the evolving tech landscape, making it a significant crypto mining investment story to watch. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. What is Mara Holdings acquiring? Mara Holdings is in final talks to acquire a 64% stake in Exaion, a subsidiary of EDF, for approximately $170 million. 2. What does Exaion specialize in? Exaion operates high-performance computing data centers and provides cloud and AI infrastructure services, essential for advanced computational needs. 3. How does this acquisition benefit Mara Holdings? This acquisition allows Mara Holdings to diversify its revenue streams beyond crypto mining, expand into high-growth sectors like HPC and AI, and leverage its existing energy management expertise for broader digital infrastructure operations. 4. Is this a common trend for crypto mining companies? While not universally common, there is a growing trend for crypto companies to explore diversification into adjacent high-tech sectors like AI and HPC, utilizing their existing infrastructure and energy management capabilities to create new opportunities. 5. What is the significance of this deal for the digital asset industry? The Exaion acquisition by Mara Holdings could set a precedent for how crypto-native companies evolve, demonstrating a strategic shift towards broader digital infrastructure and AI, thereby influencing future investment and development trends in the sector. If you found this insight into Mara Holdings ‘ strategic move valuable, please consider sharing this article on your social media platforms! Your support helps us continue to deliver timely and relevant cryptocurrency news and analysis. To learn more about the latest crypto market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping Bitcoin institutional adoption . This post Mara Holdings Secures Pivotal Exaion Acquisition for $170M first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team